Lack of doctors – This is how Ludwigslust-Parchim assesses healthcare!

Lack of doctors – This is how Ludwigslust-Parchim assesses healthcare!

Health care in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district received a medium rating in the current Nordkurier Heimatcheck 2025. With 4.58 points on a scale of 1 (very bad) to 10 (very good), survey participants rated medical care as average. Seniors in the district in particular rate their health care with 5.55 points and therefore show slight satisfaction, which is a positive aspect considering the challenges in rural areas. The district is on a par with the Mecklenburg Lake District, while the Northwest Mecklenburg neighborhood does slightly better with 5.33 points. Seniors in northwest Mecklenburg even rate their situation with 5.87 points, which sends a clear signal: There is a need for action!

A total of 16,664 people took part in this home check, and the results from 15 categories provide an enlightening insight into regional conditions. The availability of doctor's offices, clinics and health services was examined in these categories. Participants without immediate access to a hospital often feel less well cared for. In the survey it was also clearly perceived that there is a perceived undersupply of general practitioners and specialists in rural regions. The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians sees good care in parts of the district, but future supply problems have been identified. What is particularly noteworthy is that many doctors will retire in the next decade, which could further aggravate the situation.

Senior care and mobility problems

The challenges facing the older population in rural areas cannot be underestimated. Senior citizen facilities are often missing and this leads to mobility problems. Seniors in urban areas are more satisfied with leisure and care options, which is reflected in the ratings from Parchim (5.82), Ludwigslust (6.68) and Hagenow (5.88). However, some villages, such as Dabel with 6.81 points and Wittenförden even with 7.64 points, offer outstanding offers for their older citizens. Here, seniors' own initiatives play an important role, especially when it comes to creating offers that meet their needs.

A significant problem in rural regions, such as those found in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is the small number of specialists. Pediatricians are often non-existent because the low number of children in the villages makes economic care impossible. This means that many children who live a long distance from a pediatrician are less likely to seek medical care and often rely on their family doctor. This particularly affects the 10,500 children and young people who live more than 20 kilometers from the nearest pediatrician in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, according to forecasts from the Federal Agency for Civic Education.

Conclusion and outlook

Even if the medical requirements in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district are still viewed as acceptable, the future will be about better meeting the needs of the older and younger population in particular. Innovative models, such as telemedicine offers or mobile healthcare providers, are promising approaches that should be more integrated into public services. This is the only way to ensure long-term health care in rural areas and to ensure that the older generation continues to be well looked after without having to travel long distances.

Further information and news can be found at LUP Regio and at bpb.de.